Best 2D RPGs

Throughout the long-running history of the RPG, from its humble beginnings in tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons and text-based adventure titles, this historic genre of gaming has seen its fair share of evolution and change. One of the biggest turning points for the RPG was when it started to expand into video games, where art and role-playing collided, as the earliest examples of the genre used limited hardware to create some truly special experiences.

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Since then, the 2D RPG has become one of the staples of the industry, not limiting itself to 8-and 16-bit hardware, as this style has continued into contemporary times. 2D RPGs have been a part of video games for a long time, and thanks to continued interest in the style, likely won’t be going away anytime soon. These games have been ranked based on their art styles, music, design, and importance to the genre, as they’ve all contributed something to the industry in some way.

12

Triangle Strategy

HD-2D Strategy Game Features Complex World Of Intrigue

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First introduced by Octopath Traveler in 2018, Square’s HD-2D technology has powered some of their most incredible games recently, as the combination of 2D sprites with 3D geometry and advanced, dynamic lighting is absolutely breathtaking. This gorgeous style was also used for Triangle Strategy in 2022, a tactical strategy RPG that took influence from Square’s own Final Fantasy Tactics.

Taking place in the kingdom of Norzelia, Triangle Strategy explores a world filled with political turmoil and a war for resources between three nations. Its sharp, highly engaging turn-based combat system is addictive, and the battles make excellent use of environmental hazards. With a cast of outstanding characters and some of the best music that Square has produced in years, Triangle Strategy is one of the best strategy RPGs on the market today.

11

Secret Of Mana

Spectacular Action RPG Is One Of The SNES’ Best Games

The Mana series was born out of Final Fantasy Adventure, a Zelda-style spin-off for the Game Boy released in 1991. Building off the foundation of that game, Square produced a sequel in 1993 known as Secret of Mana, a spectacular action RPG with a focus on fast-paced combat.

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Featuring brilliant sprite work, a fantastic soundtrack and one of the most enjoyable combat systems on the SNES, Secret of Mana is still one of the console’s most outstanding games. This brilliant action RPG was remade with 3D graphics in 2018, but the original is still an absolute blast to play. It is currently available on the Switch via the Collection of Mana, making it easier than ever to experience this incredible game.

10

Final Fantasy 4

Fourth Mainline Final Fantasy Game Introduces The Active-Time Battle System

After dominating the NES with the first three games, the Final Fantasy franchise took full advantage of Nintendo’s next-gen hardware, releasing the fourth mainline entry on the SNES in 1991. Final Fantasy 4 was the first game in the franchise to feature the active-time battle system, which would later go on to influence multiple titles in the series, as well as other RPGs.

Following the tale of Cecil, Final Fantasy 4 was one of the first games in the franchise to start veering into darker, more complex themes. It feels like the beginning of what Final Fantasy would become in later console generations, as it was beginning to evolve from traditional storytelling in the genre. The combat, music, and outstanding cast of characters are still an absolute delight, and this timeless classic is currently available on all modern platforms.

9

Planescape: Torment

Unique CRPG Feels Like A Novel Come To Life

Of all the CRPGs released during the 1990s, Planescape: Torment by Black Isle Studios may be the very best one. After completing Fallout 1 and its sequel, they opted to work on something different for their next project, and Planescape was a perfect fit for them.

This dark, avant-garde RPG takes place in the land of Sigil, where players take control of The Nameless One, a wanderer cursed with immortality. It has some of the sharpest, most intelligent writing ever seen in an RPG, and is still one of the genre’s most innovative games. It was recently remastered for modern hardware by Beamdog and is readily available on every current-gen console.

8

Golden Sun

Fantasy RPG Is A Game Boy Advance Classic

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Golden Sun

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Released

November 12, 2001

Although Camelot Software Planning is generally known for its Nintendo-based sports titles, one of their best efforts was Golden Sun, a turn-based RPG for the Game Boy Advance. This incredible game is set in the land of Weyard, where four young heroes go on a quest to stop its destruction at the hands of ancient magic.

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The sprite work and art direction are excellent, and the music makes great use of the GBA’s fantastic sound hardware. Combat looks and feels terrific, with a battle window that features lively animation and a sense of chaos. It is still one of the best RPGs on the GBA and is still a remarkable experience. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, Golden Sun is fully playable on modern hardware and is most certainly worth revisiting today.

7

Icewind Dale

Addictive CRPG From Black Isle Studios

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Icewind Dale

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Released

June 29, 2000

Developer(s)

Black Isle Studios

There may not have been a more capable team developing CRPGs than Black Isle Studios, whose previous efforts on the Fallout franchise and Planescape: Torment were just a prelude to what would be their most ambitious project to date. The result was Icewind Dale, a spectacular CRPG that takes place in the Forgotten Realms setting of D&D.

Icewind Dale uses the 2nd edition rule set from D&D, and it makes excellent use of Black Isle’s Infinity Engine, which had powered all of their previous games. The cold, frosty aesthetic is a delight, and the amazing combat that defined Black Isle’s past efforts feels better than ever. Icewind Dale is a classic CRPG that needs to be experienced, and thanks to Beamdog, it is available on all modern hardware via the 2014 remaster.

6

Pokemon FireRed And LeafGreen

Remake Of Game Boy Classic Is The Best Way To Experience Pokemon Debut

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Released

September 7, 2004

Thanks to the massive leap forward that the Game Boy Advance took over its predecessor, it essentially was a portable Super Nintendo. It was a revolution for its time, and one of the reasons for that was its incredible software library that included some outstanding games, including RPGs. With the new hardware at their disposal, Game Freak opted to remake the first game in their massively popular monster-taming series with Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.

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FireRed and LeafGreen introduced numerous changes and improvements, updating the sprite art and the music in some spectacular ways. It also included the ability to play as a female character, a feature that was first introduced in Pokemon Crystal, as well as all future games in the franchise. FireRed and LeafGreen are easily the best versions of this classic game and are worth finding a GBA to experience.

5

Undertale

Influential Indie RPG Is Still One Of The Genre’s Best

It’s safe to say that Undertale had one of the most important impacts on the indie RPG scene, as its quirky cast of characters and unique combat system are still being sourced by other developers. Taking strong influence from EarthBound, Undertale is the compelling tale of a young boy on a quest to escape the Underground and survive.

Like the games that influenced it, Undertale is full of charming, off-beat writing and a cast of unusual characters, including Sans and Toriel. It also features a unique, bullet-hell-style combat system that doesn’t adhere to tradition. It may be over ten years old now, but Undertale is still just as witty and funny as it ever was, and is playable on all modern platforms.

4

Chrono Trigger

Iconic SNES RPG Is A Surefire Classic

There may not be an RPG more synonymous with the Super Nintendo than Chrono Trigger, a game born from a collaboration between Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Horii, and Akira Toriyama. It is still one of the finest RPGs of all time, and is a key part of the SNES’ incredible software library, as it deftly combines gorgeous pixel art, excellent music, and a fast-paced battle system.

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While Chrono Trigger still uses a variation of the turn-based ATB system first introduced in Final Fantasy 4, it manages to feel faster and much more engaging. Battles feel swift, with actions unfolding at a rapid pace. This stellar RPG is one of the SNES’ most incredible adventures and is currently available on mobile and Steam.

3

EarthBound

Quirky SNES RPG Explores What It’s Like To Be A Kid

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Earthbound

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EarthBound was an RPG unlike any other, as most games in the genre focused on high-fantasy settings with swords and knights. So, it cannot be overstated just how unique EarthBound was, as it explored a realistic world, all while focusing on a cast of young kids in the middle of an imminent invasion from the darkest reaches of outer space.

With its unique blend of humor, drama, and science fiction, EarthBound has gone on to become one of the most influential RPGs of all time. Countless indie RPGs have drawn from its sense of otherworldly charm, as well as its unusual combat system. The world is a delight to explore, with a sprawling adventure that takes Ness and his crew from the simple little town of Onett to a dramatic finale against Giygas. EarthBound is still one of the most important and engaging RPGs ever made and is readily available on Nintendo Switch Online.

2

Final Fantasy 6

Final Fantasy Bids Farewell To The SNES In Dramatic Curtain Call

In what would become their last game for Nintendo until Crystal Chronicles, released a whopping seven years later, Square would put every bit of their creative energy into Final Fantasy 6. Everything they learned from the first five games was improved and perfected, as the team had become rather adept at producing a unique, 40-plus-hour adventure every couple of years. It is still a remarkable feat, and they saved their best 2D effort for last, as Final Fantasy 6 is still one of the most incredible games ever created.

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Following the journey of Terra Branford, who fights alongside a rebel insurgency group known as the Returners, Final Fantasy 6 is a compelling tale of survival and adventure. Hunted down by a far-reaching empire, Terra goes on a harrowing journey to unlock her true potential, coming into conflict with a maniacal clown known as Kefka. Featuring the most engaging version of the classic ATB system yet, outstanding music by Nobuo Uematsu and some phenomenal sprite art, Final Fantasy 6 is a worthy conclusion to the franchise’s 16-bit era. It is readily available on modern hardware, thanks to the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster.

1

Mother 3

Emotional Conclusion To Nintendo’s Off-Beat RPG Series

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Having survived multiple delays, a couple of console changes, and a twelve-year development cycle, Mother 3 finally crossed the finish line when it was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2006. The result turned out to be worth the long, arduous wait, as Mother 3 isn’t just a GBA classic, it’s also a contender for one of the best RPGs ever made, as its gripping, emotional story serves as a fitting climax to this cult-favorite franchise.

Taking place in the Nowhere Islands, Mother 3 is the tale of Claus and Lucas, twins who go on a sprawling adventure to save their land from the Pigmask Army. Although it was initially in development for the N64, the skeleton of the story remained intact, and this poignant examination of innocence and the corruption of nature at the hands of creeping technology is still one worth experiencing today. It features a terrific cast of characters, as well as the best version of the combat system seen in the first two games. Mother 3 sadly remains without a Western release, but the incredible fan translation is worth checking out, as this heartfelt tale is practically required to play for RPG fans.

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